camcorders

[beth j]

i am planning my first holiday in orlando and i was wondering if it would be worth taking the camcorder? naturaly i am keen to capture every moment but dont wish to be weighed down by it
is it worth the bother.
we are going on november 2 - 18 and i am hoping to avoid the worst of the crowds. how busy should it be?
thanks to everyone this is a great site

 

[debbyLL]

beth,
you just have to take your camcorder, there are so many things you will kick yourself if you don't take it. we have recorded since our first visit in 1995 as a family. not to bore other people with but to warm you up in the cold winter months to plan your next visit because you will return again and again and again, i promise you disney is an addiction of the very best kind, crikey we even bought into the dvc!!! have a great time

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I think it would have to depend on how big your camcorder is?
Mine is quite small and I can fit it in my bumbag, which is great. I have to admit that I miss a lot of stuff going on coz my head is behind the camera. I took it on my trip in December and never used it once. I do have footage of one of my trips but have to admit that I've never watched the edited tape since back then in 2000. But I guess it's nice to know I'll always have it.

I think if I had kids and wanted good footage of interaction with the characters then videoing would be really great but I wouldn't want to lug something big around the parks.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

We have always taken our camcorder........it is so good to be able to look back and watch all the interaction with the characters and the kids.
The kids love watching it too.........favourite bits for watching over and over again are the parades.........


Cath

 

[tim june and sam]

For sure, take your camcorder, but don't be a slave to it, recording every last thing. Its too good to miss things happening around you as you see the world thro' the lense finder!

One tip though - if you buy US tapes whilst you are over there, the times that they are supposed to last (30/60 minutes) do not coincide with PAL cameras (that's the UK/European standard), they last longer! As they are in my experience better priced than at home, that makes them even better value.

 

[matty624]

I've taken a camcorder on every single trip. And yes it's true, 15 copies of 'It's a small world' could be deemed over kill, but somehow I just can't stop taping. I think it's becoming a compulsion...
We've got two small children who adore watching the tapes, and regularly demand to watch 'Disney' before going to bed.
It is definitely true that tapes are cheaper here than in the US. Our camcorder is of the mini dv variety, I buy tapes via mail order for £2.29 each, and I've had the hard sell more than once from electronic sales people in Florida, who claim their $15 tape is an absolute bargain. I just love watching their little disappointed faces when I tell them I can get the same tape at home for about $3.70 (I don't think they always believe me!).
Ian

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Ian, that's a good price. Where do you get them from?

Regards

Rob

 

[matty624]

I promise that I'm not related etc to anyone in these companies (especially after my slightly sanctimonious reply in another current thread about advertising)
Here's the info Rob...
www.pricebuster.org.uk but I've always rung the Manchester branch, or travelled in like I did the other day (buying the tapes always makes me feel as though the holiday is almost here!)
Manchester branch - 24 Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme Tel: 0161 248 0037 I bought JVC 60ME tapes for £2.29 on this occasion, but they do a few different manufactures if that doesn't suit.
Hope this helps...
Ian

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Thanks very much Ian, that's the cheapest I've seen them I think.

I've read a few times that you should stick with the same brand of miniDV tape as each manufacturer has a slightly different tape formulation. Apparently swapping brands can increase the particle deposit on the recorder heads. I have no idea if this is true or not, but I'll pass it on anyway.

Regards

Rob

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

You have to take your camcorder, we took ours last year and on the first day the darn thing broke so we missed all of our trip and we was really annoyed, this year (its being fixed) we are taking it,ours isnt big,but isnt small, i think we are only going to take it to certain parks etc as we have the camera as well.. so you wont miss anything if you are taking both,but i recommend taking it!!

Beth (another one) lol

 

[shagster330]

Definitely take it

We did not take the camcorder into the park everyday. We sort of alternated one day a camera and the next the camera and the camcorder

Like other people have said don't try and capture everything, else you will miss out for yourself

 

[thefoxes]

Originally posted by matty624
I promise that I'm not related etc to anyone in these companies (especially after my slightly sanctimonious reply in another current thread about advertising)
Here's the info Rob...
www.pricebuster.org.uk but I've always rung the Manchester branch, or travelled in like I did the other day (buying the tapes always makes me feel as though the holiday is almost here!)
Manchester branch - 24 Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme Tel: 0161 248 0037 I bought JVC 60ME tapes for £2.29 on this occasion, but they do a few different manufactures if that doesn't suit.
Hope this helps...
Ian

This works out cheap if you can collect them, but P&P increases the overall price. - Try eBay, i have seen 6 panasonic DV's for £19.99 with free postage !!

 

[WDWfan uk]

.....yes do take your camcorder!

When my DH gets fed up with it, we put it in a locker - all parks have lockers!

As has been said, they are a wonderful reminder of your holiday and with a camcorder you are also recording the sounds in the park as well as the sights - our WDW videos are just SO precious to us!

Don't forget to take your battery charger - you will need an adaptor for the plug and we charge the battery up overnight in our room.

........ and Beth, welcome to the DIS !

 

[thefoxes]

Originally posted by WDWfan,uk
.....yes do take your camcorder!

Don't forget to take your battery charger - you will need an adaptor for the plug and we charge the battery up overnight in our room.

........ and Beth, welcome to the DIS !

Where can you purchase the USA plug adaptors from, and how much are they ?


Thanks

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Any shop which sells travel goods, Boots often have a section, electrical shops like Dixons and failing all that you'll easily buy them at the airport. The cost a couple of quid.

They are useful for any electrical goods that you take with you, but be aware that the US operates on 110volt whereas the UK operates on 240V. Check to see that your electrical item can operate on the US voltage - it should have a sign on it saying something like 110v-240v in which case you can use it without problems.

Regards

Rob

 

[thefoxes]

Hello Rob,

Thanks for this info.

I want the adaptors for the normal stuff......the wifes hairdryer, battery recharger for digi camera and camcorder.


Thanks

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Many hairdryers don't work well on 110v so check to see if yours is compatible. Most camcorder/digi cam chargers are OK because they step down the voltage, so starting at 110 rather than 240 is not an issue.

Regards

Rob

 

[thefoxes]

arrg good point !

I will check this out, might have to buy a cheap one over there !!

 

[WDWfan uk]

..... I would honestly recommend buying a hairdryer (plus hot brush if your DW uses one!) over there if where you are staying does not supply them - or borrowing from someone who has an American hairdryer. They do not cost much and you have them for your next trip!!

Some hotels may not have in-room haridryers but will often supply one from housekeeping.. that's worth checking out!

 

[thefoxes]

The plug adaptors needed for the USA, are they the same as Europe.

The reason i ask, is that i have a couple that i used when i went on holiday to Turkey last year.


Thanks